Carbon-Z Yak 54 PNP Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The E-flight Carbon-Z Yak 54 is not for beginners. It's a hot performer, capable of incredible aerobatics and 3D flight.
The power to weight ratio is incredible; point it straight up, give it full throttle and it seems to climb forever.
You definitely need a radio (transmitter) capable of dual rates and exponential to take advantage of this plane's performance.
It may be made of Z-Foam but it performs like a covered balsa airplane. It's internally reinforced so the wings and tail surfaces don't flex under load.
On "high rates" it will do anything you can think of including hang on the prop in front of you, do "harriers" and "rolling circles."
On "low rates" it will perform like a sport plane, doing loops, rolls, etc. and it lands quite easily. Still not for the newbie.
The quality and build are excellent, and it goes together in just a few minutes. So, charge the battery, put it together and you're flying in about an hour.
Downside is you're only flying for 5-6 minutes on the battery, so buy several extra batteries.

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The Carbon-Z? Yak 54 is a quantum leap in unlimited aircraft design that uses patent pending Carbon-Z construction. The brainchild of world aerobatic champion, Quique Somenzini, it comes out of the box equipped with the phenomenal brushless Q-Power system and digital high-speed servos. The combination of these high-performance components with the light weight and superb rigidity of the Carbon-Z airframe result in a 3D airplane with a 2:1 thrust-to-weight ratio that knows no limits.

Best of all, you can have this Plug-N-Play® version airborne in just a few minutes. All you need is a full range aircraft transmitter and receiver, a 4S 14.8V 2800mAh Li-Po battery, and a 4S Li-Po charger. To get the most from the Carbon-Z Yak 54, a programmable aircraft transmitter with dual rates and exponential function is recommended.

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Mini Super Cub RTF Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I learned on the Mini Super Cub. It is a great little plane which is easy for a first-timer to handle. Hand-launches are easier than takeoff rolls. But the plane is so light, and the wing is a somewhat flexible, so wind needs a few mph or less, preferable calm to fly it. Otherwise, it really gets bounced around and is easily crashed or lost.
The included radio teaches you to throttle-back by being spring-loaded to the throttle off position (which is oddly halfway up). This is a great lesson since many beginners leave the throttle too high on their first flight causing too much speed, altitude or a crash. But it is a non-standard feature on a trainer, and it gets tiresome to have to push the plane along at all times.
As a 3-channel plane there are no ailerons, only rudder, elevator, and throttle. The rudder is controlled by the right stick, which is also non-standard and arguably, a bad way to learn.
The battery is weak, but glides are easy. If you get a second battery, and you'll want one, get the full sized Cub battery. It fits nicely in the Mini's battery compartment if you pop off the door. The battery door sometimes opens in flight, anyway, so it is ok to remove it. Either battery is held firmly by the Velcro strap. Weight is no issue and you can use the Mini's included charger for either battery:
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The anti-crash feature is of marginal value. It cuts the power if you get into a vertical climb or dive. I think it adds some leveling controls, but it's hard to say since after the power goes away, the you tend to want to level it and the plane is somewhat self-leveling.
Overall, if I had to do it again, I would buy the larger Super Cub or the Parkzone T-28. I have heard the larger Cub is a little better flyer and can handle 5-10 mph wind. I got a T-28 after the wind picked up during a flight and carried my Mini Cub into another State. The T-28 only goes slightly faster, if you use a 9x6 or 9x5 prop, it would go the same speed as the Cubs. The T-28 is almost as easy to fly, plus it teaches you with ailerons, which I think are easier. And it uses a standard throttle and rudder configuration. You can use the T-28 RTF's standard radio in your next model, or, if you are like me and have a radio from helicopters, you can bind the T-28 BNF or PNP version to a transmitter you already own. If you can fly a $30 computer simulator, I wouldn't hesitate to start with the T-28.
Still, if you wait for calm winds, the Mini Cub easily does the job of teaching a person with no experience and no instructor. You can't beat that for less than a C note.


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Equipped with the safety and security of HobbyZone’s exclusive Anti-Crash Technology (ACT?), the Mini Super Cub ensures smooth and steady flying right from the start. This smaller version of the HobbyZone classic Super Cub offers true scale-flying thrills with 3-channel control, making it a perfect introduction to the world of RC flight. Anti-Crash Technology? utilizes optical sensors and software that constantly monitor the Mini Super Cub’s position. If your Mini Super Cub enters a dangerous dive, the software reacts quickly to help prevent a crash while allowing you to regain control. ACT also gives you two ways to fly – engaged or disengaged. When it’s on, the computer automatically analyzes your Mini Super Cub’s flight path to keep it from experiencing precarious drops. After mastering the basics with ACT on, press the control stick on the transmitter (even while in flight) to turn it off. When it’s disengaged, the plane is capable of more advanced maneuvers, like loops, rolls and spins. HobbyZone’s Mini Super Cub makes it safe, simple and fun for almost anyone to learn the basics of RC flight. By combining throttle, steering and pitch controls with Anti-Crash Technology and an instantly recognizable scale design, it is the ideal choice for starting your RC adventure. Everything you need to begin is right here in the box, meaning you are only minutes away from a truly authentic flight experience you’ll never forget.

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Super Cub LP RTF Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is the plane I learned to fly with, as have many people apparently. I bought the original Super Cub (the same model as this, except not the LP version) and then I had the mini-super cub, and now this. The LP version has more power, but otherwise is exactly the same as the original. The mini is identical but a smaller scale. I would recommend the mini to start. It does not have the power of this plane, but it is lighter, and therefore crashes tend to be less destructive. But the trade off is that the mini tends to be buffeted by winds more easily, so you really need to have a calm day to fly. Once you've practiced then this is a great next step. Bigger and faster, it can handle a little wind, and is great for practicing takeoff and landing. It's a very forgiving plane once you can handle the basic control of the plane. With both planes, while you're learning, don't forget to give yourself plenty of altitude so you can recover from any false steps. Also, when you do crash (and you will) this plane is incredibly easy to repair and make fly again. I have broken the nose section off of every one I've owned, and glued it back and flown. My LP has had the tail section snapped off, and it to glues back on and works fine. Get a hot glue gun and some clear packing tape (great for repairing wings) and you can fix an amazing number of problems.
The down side of this plane? It's not particularly acrobatic, but that's why it's a great trainer. Likes to fly flat and straight. And then there's the automatic crash protection. Turn it off. It does not save you, and sometimes seems to take over when you don't need it. Look at the many remote control airplane forums on line, there are several, and you will see a pretty consistent message that this is not something you want to use.
Buy it, it's fun. Trees will try to grab you and the ground will jump up at you, but soon you'll master the simple controls and be on your way. Enjoy.

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Teach yourself to fly RC by mastering the basics of throttle, steering and pitch control with the HobbyZone® Super Cub LP. The Super Cub LPbrings togethergreat scale looks andgentle flying characteristicsin this classic Cub trainer.

Beyond being a great way to teach yourself to fly, the HobbyZone Super Cub LP also offers you exciting options that you simply won’t find in any other RC plane like it. Options like HobbyZone’s exclusive X-Port? technology that lets you add remotely controlled functions like parachute drops (requires Aerial Drop Module? - sold separately). There’s also an optional float kit (sold separately) that lets you turn any lake or pond into a back country, bush-flying adventure. As with all HobbyZone airplanes, the Super Cub LP comes with everything you need to get flying in this box and can be flight-ready in as little time as it takes you to charge the battery pack.

HobbyZone’s Innovative Anti-Crash TechnologyAnti-Crash Technology (ACT?) makes teaching yourself to fly easier and safer than ever before. With ACT, anyone can fly. Here’s how it works: HobbyZone’s exclusive Anti-Crash Technology (ACT?) ensures your first flights are smooth and stable by using special optical sensors and software that analyze your flight path. If ACT "sees” you are losing control and entering a steep dive, it reacts quickly to help prevent a crash by actually helping you regain control. After you’ve mastered the basics, you can flip the switch on the transmitter, even while in flight, and turn Anti-Crash Technology off. With ACT off, your Super Cub LP will be capable of more advanced maneuvers such as steep turns and loops.

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Hobbico Nexstar R/C Trainer Airplane w/Flight Simulator Review

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(More customer reviews)The NextStar is a good, basic trainer. As with any other trainer, you must have a seasoned pilot helping with the first few flights at least. My instructor immediately rejected the speed flaps and the Automatic Flight Stabilization system. I figured he would, so I didn't even install the flaps or connect the AFS. He's instructed many students using this trainer and finds those two features to be a hindrance rather than a help.
The airplane does need some tweaking by an experienced modeler. For example, the right rudder/right nose gear binds as the nyrod comes through a too-tight hole in the firewall. We had to disconnect it and enlarge the hole with a Dremel tool. No big deal but, since the instructor says they all come that way, it's a mystery why Great Planes continues to manufacture them this way.
Main landing gear system is mickey mouse--snap in system that only works part of the time and is very easy to come loose. Coming loose and falling out in flight is a real possibility.
The other BIG problem: the aircraft always yaws and rolls right on takeoff. Something that they all do, according to the others in the radio control club who've flown them. You have to feed in left rudder and left aileron on V2 or you're likely going to be in trouble.
Overall, a solid trainer and one that my R/C club sees a lot. One evening on Beginner's Night there were five NextStars in the air at one time. However, if I were doing this over, I'd probably go with the HobbiStar .60 because it's a bigger airplane (easier to see), has less dihedral, and has a semi-symmetrical airfoil which gives it many more possibilities.

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The Hobbico NexSTAR Select RTF (Ready-to-Fly) .46 Trainer is much more than an airplane. Light-years ahead of any ready-to-fly trainer you ve ever seen, the NexSTAR is an exciting preview of what future trainers will be. It offers the assembly ease and all-in-one completeness that RTFs already include, but goes far beyond to provide an unprecedented range of pilot aids designed and engineered to support first-timer success.Perhaps the most remarkable of these aids is AFS (Active Flight Stabilization ) installed in the NexSTAR s fuselage. Once your NexSTAR is airborne, it senses any change from level flight whether it s due to a wind gust or pilot error and automatically corrects roll and pitch to return the NexSTAR to true horizontal. It s not an automatic pilotas long as you move the sticks, you re in control. But when you don t know what to do, all you have to do is release the sticks and let the AFS come to the rescue!Also included is a CD-ROM and interface cable for the Real Flight simulator, letting you get valuable "stick-time" day or night, rain or shine, at your computer. It s an integral part of the Futaba4YBF radio system and a part of the most amazing trainer ever designed the NexSTAR!

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